Atomic force microscope observations of domains in fine-grained bulk lead zirconate titanate ceramics

This study describes sample preparation techniques that allow atomic force microscope observation of domains on the scale of tens of nanometers in tine-grained bulk lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics. It is shown that carefully conducted light polishing and etching results in no signiticant disturbance to domain morphologies in hard PZT ceramics.